A powerful India, a proven New Zealand and a topsy-turvy Zimbabwe begin a triangular one-day international series with two matches here and five more in Harare over the next two weeks.
After the three countries meet each other twice, a sequence providing six matches in all, the final will be held in the capital Harare on September 6.
Zimbabwe cannot be expected to figure in the tournament, although it is wise to avoid predicting write-offs, as their new coach Kevin Curran will be looking to make his mark during his first game in charge against New Zealand on Wednesday.
But the Kiwis are resounding favourites having beaten Zimbabwe in both their Test matches which ended last week - one by an innings and 294 runs, the other by an innings and 46.
India versus New Zealand will be a fascinating prospect, as both sides are regarded as being evenly balanced.